In TRX rats, PROG treatment stimulated the number of NADPH-diaphorase
(nitric oxide synthase) active astrocytes, whereas the number of astrocytes
expressing the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was stimulated in
control but not in TRX rats.

PROG also stimulated the immunocytochemical
staining for myelin-basic protein (MBP) and the number of oligodendrocyte
precursor cells expressing the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan NG2 in
TRX rats.

In terms of beneficial or detrimental consequences, these PROG
effects may be supportive of neuronal recuperation, as shown for several
neuronal functional parameters that were normalized by PROG treatment of
spinal cord injured animals.

Thus, PROG effects on glial cells go in parallel
with morphological and biochemical evidence of survival of damaged motoneurons.